Dewan Architects & Engineers, a highly-ranked architecture firm in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena), said it has started work on the design of Reem Mall, a new entertainment, dining and shopping destination coming up in Abu Dhabi.

The $1-billion project is being developed by leading Kuwait-based companies National Real Estate Company (NREC) and United Projects for Aviation Services Company (UPAC). It is a two million-sq-ft retail, leisure, dining and entertainment destination located on Reem Island, the new master-developed residential and commercial zone adjacent to Abu Dhabi mainland, which will eventually be home to more than 200,000 people. 

As per the contract, Dewan will work in close collaboration with design consultants from RTKL, a global architecture, planning and design firm based in the US, and offer a range of services including engineering, master-planning, architectural design, sustainability design and post contract services. According to Mohamed Al Assam, the executive chairman, the company has played a key role in designing a range of retail, residential and mixed-use projects in the UAE including Yas Viceroy Hotel, CityWalk in Dubai as well as Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai.

Currently at the concept design stage, the Reem Mall project is expected to start construction in 2015 and open in 2018. Once completed, the mall will bring a wide range of family-focused retail, leisure and entertainment offerings to Abu Dhabi including some 450 stores, with 85 food and beverage outlets.